Dynamic Tolling begins on the Central 70 Express Lane corridor Monday, April 8
Travel Advisory
El Peaje Dinámico comenzará en el corredor de Carriles Exprés Central 70 en marzo
Denver – Starting Monday, April 8, drivers on the Central 70 corridor will begin to see “dynamic tolling” — or real-time pricing — in effect on the 10 miles of Express Lanes that run from I-25 to Chambers Road.
The introduction of dynamic tolling — adjusting tolls continuously according to real-time traffic conditions instead of simply by time of day based on historical traffic data — will help to better manage demand during peak hours to maintain desired traffic levels and a minimum speed of 45 mph in the Central 70 Express Lanes. Central 70 is the first corridor where dynamic tolling is being implemented, and CTIO plans to roll out the technology on all of the Colorado Express Lanes eventually.
Tolls on Central 70 will be similar to the time-of-day pricing drivers are accustomed to seeing on the corridor, ranging from $1.50 to $5.50. The only difference is the toll rates may change throughout the day to respond to changing traffic conditions, meaning tolls may be somewhat higher or somewhat lower than drivers have been accustomed to. Rates may be updated as often as every five to 15 minutes, and overhead signs will display current toll prices. The price displayed when vehicles enter the Express Lanes is the price drivers will pay if they have an ExpressToll pass, even if the toll changes while the driver is traveling in the Express Lanes. License plate fees will continue to apply for drivers who do not have an ExpressToll pass.
Dynamic tolling is designed to maintain a free-flowing level of traffic and ease traffic congestion across all lanes in a dedicated corridor, including the untolled, or general purpose, lanes.
“Dynamic tolling is one of the best tools available for keeping traffic moving,” said Piper Darlington, director of the Colorado Transportation Investment Office, the division of CDOT that owns and operates Colorado Express Lanes. “The Central 70 Express Lanes see large numbers of vehicles each day, and by adjusting the tolls a little bit upward or a little bit downward based on real-time traffic conditions, we aim to help keep the entire Central 70 corridor as congestion-free as possible.”
The Central 70 Express Lanes remain free to motorcyclists, commercial transit vehicles and vehicles with three or more passengers and a Switchable HOV Transponder. Drivers are not required to use the Express Lanes and can always choose to use the adjacent general purpose lanes for no additional cost. Drivers are reminded to not weave over solid white lines and to only enter or exit Express Lanes at access points marked with dashed lines.
ExpressToll pass saves money
Get a Pass! ExpressToll saves drivers money every trip with an average of 40% savings compared to the pricing without a pass. Go to expresstoll.com to get the pass that is right for you. The same ExpressToll passes (stickers or Switchable HOV Transponders) are used on all Express Lanes, along with E-470 and the Northwest Parkway.
